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CookZya original design · Christmas bow

Crochet Bow Pattern (Free Christmas Bow in Single Crochet)

A red bow in 3 small pieces of single crochet: for the tree, a gift or a hair clip

Crochet bow pattern: a red crochet Christmas bow with two loops and two tails
The finished look: 2 loops, a center band and 2 tails; loops and tails in single crochet rows.

Free crochet bow pattern · about 4 in wide · worsted yarn, US H-8 hook · about 1 h 30 min (estimate).

This crochet bow is made of 3 small flat pieces worked in rows of single crochet: a strip that folds into the 2 loops, a strip for the tails and a little band for the middle. Then you fold, pinch and sew.

Only chains, single crochet and sewing: a good first project. Make a few for the tree, a gift or a hair clip. Every row was checked by our stitch simulator.

Red crochet bow hanging on a Christmas tree by a thin white yarn loop
On the tree: hang it by a yarn loop tied under the center band.
Finished size
About 4 in wide and 4 in tall with the tails (estimated)
Yarn
Worsted weight (#4) in red: about 31 yd per bow, sewing tails and hanging tie included (estimated, with a 30 % margin)
Hook
US H-8 (5.0 mm), yarn needle
Gauge
16 sc and 18 rows = 4 in (not critical for a bow)
Time
About 1 h 30 min per bow, assembly included (estimated, not timed)
Skills
ch, sc, working in rows, whip stitch
Crochet bow pattern: red crochet bow on a kraft paper gift box, seen at an angle
As a gift topper: 2 loops, the wrapped band and 2 tails in a V.

✓ CookZya original design · Stitch counts checked row by row — Stitch counts checked row by row by our simulator. This pattern has not been crocheted and swatched by a person: size, yarn and time are estimates, and your bow will differ a little.

Materials

  • Color R — red, about 31 yd
  • Yarn needle and scissors; a hair clip or a ribbon (optional).

Notes

  • US crochet terms. ch = chain, sc = single crochet, st(s) = stitch(es).
  • Either side can be the right side: pick the side you like and keep it facing out.
  • The ch 1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch: make your first sc in the first sc.
  • Count your stitches at the end of each row: the same number every row keeps the edges straight.
  • Leave the long tails when you fasten off: you sew with them.
  • The photos show the finished look of the bow. Their stitches do not match the pattern one for one (the center band can look like wrapped yarn): follow the written rows for every count.

Crochet bow pattern chart and assembly

Crochet bow pattern: the 3 pieces with their stitch and row counts
The 3 pieces drawn to scale from the pattern, with their stitch and row counts.
How to assemble the crochet bow: steps 1 to 4
Fold, pinch, add the tails, then wrap the band.
Crochet bow drawn from the pattern
The bow drawn from the pattern, to scale.

Bow strip (about 8 x 1 3/4 in)

Make 1. This strip becomes the 2 loops.

  1. Ch 33. 33 ch
  2. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (32 sc) 32 sc
  3. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), turn. Sc in each sc across. (32 sc in each row) Fasten off, leaving a 24 in tail for sewing. 32 sc

Tails (about 5 1/2 x 1 in)

Make 1. Folded in a V, it becomes the 2 tails.

  1. Ch 23. 23 ch
  2. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (22 sc) 22 sc
  3. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), turn. Sc in each sc across. (22 sc in each row) Fasten off, leaving a 12 in tail for sewing. 22 sc

Center band (about 2 3/4 x 1 in)

Make 1. It wraps around the middle of the bow.

  1. Ch 5. 5 ch
  2. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (4 sc) 4 sc
  3. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), turn. Sc in each sc across. (4 sc in each row) Before you fasten off, wrap the band around the pinched middle of the bow and the tails: add or remove rows until the short ends just meet at the back (12 rows is a starting point: a thick middle can need a few more). Fasten off, leaving a 10 in tail for sewing. 4 sc

Assemble the bow

Red crochet bow on a white wrapped gift box, seen from the front at an angle
Pinch the middle tightly before you add the band: the loops stay round.

1 Fold the loops

Lay the bow strip flat, wrong side up. Fold both short ends to the middle so they overlap by about 1/4 in. With the long tail, sew the ends down at the middle through all layers.

2 Pinch the middle

Pinch the middle into 3 small pleats (like a fan). Wrap the same tail tightly 4 or 5 times around the pinch and knot it at the back.

3 Add the tails

Weave the tails strip's long tail along its edge to the middle of the strip. Fold the strip in half to make an upside-down V. Place the fold behind the middle of the bow, the 2 ends hanging down and apart, and sew it in place with that tail.

4 Wrap the band

Wrap the center band around the middle of the bow and the tails, right side out. Sew its short ends together at the back. If it is loose, take 1 or 2 stitches through the middle to tighten it.

5 Hang or attach it

Thread an 8 in piece of yarn under the band at the back and knot it into a loop for the tree, or sew the back of the band to a hair clip, or tie it on a gift with ribbon.

6 Finish

Weave in the starting tails and all the other ends at the back of the bow.

Finishing

Shape the loops with your fingers. For a stiffer bow, mist it with spray starch and let it dry.

Design notes

  • Bow strip 32 sc x 8 rows, tails 22 sc x 4 rows, band 4 sc x 12 rows: 392 sc in all.
  • Width = (strip length – overlap) / 2, height = strip width; each tail = half the tails strip. Sizes come from the suggested gauge: an estimate.

Tips

  • A stiffer bow: use cotton yarn, or mist it with spray starch and let it dry pinched.
  • For a smaller bow (hair clip), use DK or sport yarn and a smaller hook; the bow will be smaller (not measured).
  • Pull the wrap tight before you add the band: the tighter the middle, the rounder the loops.

Common mistakes

  • Counting the ch 1 at the start of a row as a stitch: the strip grows by 1 stitch each row.
  • Folding the ends to the right side: fold them to the wrong side so the seam stays hidden.

Make it your own

  • Green, gold or white bows for a mixed tree.
  • Make 6 and tie them along a ribbon for a garland.

Care

  • Dust it gently; if it gets crushed, pinch the middle and fluff the loops.

More Christmas crochet patterns

FAQ

How do you crochet a bow?

Crochet a strip in single crochet, fold both ends to the middle, pinch and wrap the middle, add a V-shaped strip for the tails and cover the middle with a small band.

How big is this crochet bow?

About 4 in wide in worsted yarn with a US H-8 hook (an estimate).

Can I use it as a hair bow?

Yes: sew the back of the band to a hair clip. Use a lighter yarn and a smaller hook for a smaller bow.

Can I sell what I make?

Yes, you may sell what you crochet. Please don't sell or repost the pattern; link to this page.

© 2026 CookZya. Free for personal use: you may make and sell what you crochet. Please don't sell, copy or repost this pattern; link to it instead.